I'm here in beautiful Farworld today, talking with J. Scott Savage - author of Water Keep. I can't speak highly enough of this book! I'm a hard-sell when it comes to fantasy, but I was drawn right in and kept there throughout the entire story. In fact, I loved it so well, I've taken to visiting Farworld whenever I get a chance.
Let's give everyone a taste of what they can look forward to:
"Other people may see 13-year-old Marcus Kanenas as an outcast and a nobody, but he sees himself as a survivor and a dreamer. In fact, his favorite dream is of a world far away, a world where magic is as common as air, where animals tell jokes and trees beg people to pick their fruit. He even as a name for this place -- Farworld. When Marcus magically travels to Farworld, he meets Kyja, a girl without magic in a world where spells, charms and potions are everywhere, and Master Therapass, a master wizard who has kept a secret hidden for 13years, a secret that could change the fate of two worlds. But the Dark Circle has learned of Master Therapass's secret and their evil influence and power are growing. Farworld's only hope is for Marcus and Kyja to find the mythical Elementals--water, land, air and fire--and convince them to open a drift between the worlds. As Kyja and Marcus travel to Water Keep, they must face the worst evil the Dark Circle can throw at them--Summoners, who can command the living and the dead; Unmakers, invisible creates that can destroy both body and soul; and dark mages known as Thrathkin S'Bae. Along the way, Marcus and Kyja will discover the truth about their own heritage, the strength of their friendship, and the depths of their unique powers."
Weston: Not your typical hero, Marcus has a pretty hefty disability, so much that he's in a wheelchair on Earth. Even in Farworld it gets better, but it still doesn't go away. Was it hard to write from the perspective of someone with that sort of physical challenge? How did you do it- What sort of research went into it? Is it going to play a bigger part in the story as the series goes on?
JSS: I'll kind of answer your question backward. Question great a is that.
Kidding. But I will kind of answer it backwards.Almost the first thing I knew when I began envisioning this story—far before I ever dreamed I’d write it, and even longer before I knew it would be a series—was Marcus’s disability. I say that not because the story is focused on Marcus’s disability, but because it is such an important part of who he is. Kyja’s disability is every bit as powerful and important, but for some reason we don’t see a lot of hero’s with major physical difficulties. The thing is that Marcus and Kyja have lived with these issues since they were born. So in a way they have adapted to them. But in another way, they’ve always wished, dreamed, that they didn’t have them. This is a not a story to tell a message, but inherent in the story is that message that we all have some kind of “disability.” The question is not how do we rid ourselves of our trials, but what do we gain from them.
Weston: This book has some very unusual names - Mr and Mrs Goodnuff, Galespinner, the Unmakers, Thrathkin S'Bae. Where do you find names like these?
JSS: Sometimes they come easily. Sometimes I really struggle to find them. Occasionally I come a cross a name that is so cool, I write it down and save it. Like I was in New York recently, and we drove across the Throggsneck bridge. I immediately knew I wanted throggs in my next book.
Weston: We know that there will probably be four books - one for each element. Are the others already outlined, or written? Was there a special reason you had them go to Water Keep first?
JSS: There will actually be five books. The entire series is outlined to some extent. For example, I know the most about books 2 and 5 right now. But I know some basics about 3 and 4 too. I definitely had an order to the books. Some of it is because of flow—the way things will interrelate. The rest of it is just building up the suspense/ excitement. Each group of elementals has very unique abilities and personalities. Some are much less human than the Fontasians (water elementals.)
Weston: I can't wait for the next one - how good is that considering this one isn't actually "out" yet. How can I get on the list for the advanced reader copys for the rest of the series?
JSS: That’s music to my ears! But don't just take my word for it. Here's what others are saying about Farworld: Water KeepJewel AdamsCandace Salima at Dream A Little DreamShirley BahlmannGoodreads
Keep an eye out for more, Mr. Savage's Farworld Tour continues through August.
WIN AN ADVANCED READER COPY OF FARWORLD: WATER KEEP!!
A free copy will be sent to the first person who can tell me what 1980-something television show is quoted in the underlined section above! Post your answer in the comment section- Good luck!
